Are you trying to write a personality profile? Or have already written one that did not yield the results you hoped for? The idea of writing about yourself may have sounded easy until you attempted to do it. Like many people, you probably took the task a little too lightly. But now you know— writing a personality profile requires thought and effort. Below are some things to consider before you begin writing.

What is a Personality Profile?Personality is what makes people who they are. Think of yourself as a quilt that is the result of many patches. Some of those patches involve interesting stories. Other patches are just scraps that fill in a void. All together, the patches of a quilt usually emit some type of emotion or aura.

Now imagine someone wanted to know about the quilt. Basically, what the person wants is a profile. He or she does not want an inventory of every scrap of fabric. That person wants intriguing and colorful information. That person wants to know how the patches relate to make this interesting item that has caught his or her attention.

Your personality profile should offer relevant information—an overview. As with the quilt, no one wants a comprehensive list of every detail that makes you who you are. Your objective is to choose patches of yourself that will present an attractive, solid image.

Before You Begin WritingThere is no way that you can write an effective profile without knowing what you want. Whether you need a profile to post on a dating site, or you need it to get a job, you must consider the people who are going to read it and what you want their impression to be.

If you are writing a personality profile to find a partner, you need to have a general idea of the type of partner you want to attract. If you are writing a professional personality profile, come equipped with the kind of perception people in that field generally portray. Once you have a goal, analyze who you are. As unbelievable as it sounds, most people can’t readily tell others who they are. Therefore, this task may take some deep thought.

Get a pad and sit down and describe yourself. List the good, the bad, the funny and the private. Pick yourself apart. List your experiences, dreams and fears. Ask other people to describe you, to recant experiences that involve you. Do you view these experiences differently? Make sure you are open to the responses you receive. If you expect certain answers and display hostility when you don’t get them, you are going to defeat your purpose.

There is no need to worry about what your analysis includes. Not everything that you put on paper will be included in your profile, but at least you will get a full view of yourself.

Write a Personality Profile and Get a DateSo you know who you are and who you are looking for. Now you have to write a personality profile that draws an image that will attract that person.

Everyone has a race, age and hometown. Those are necessary pieces of identifying information, but they really do not provide a lot in terms of attraction. There are so many profiles to choose from that if you want to increase your chances, you have to include information that is original. This sounds difficult when considering the number of profiles, but it shouldn’t be because you are original. Most people just do not know how to express it.

Don’t be afraid to inject some personality. If you are lighthearted or a prankster, your personality profile should communicate that. Begin by writing, “I am a serious young woman with conservative values who keeps a strict schedule and expects others to do the same. Or, at least I would be if I knew what conservative meant and I could find my watch.”

Forget about the empty adjectives like funny, honest and smart.

If you are smart, show it. If you are honest, earn the reader’s trust. If you are funny, make the reader laugh.

Show passion about something. Sure, there are lots of activities you like to do. But what is something you love to do? If backpacking is ingrained in your DNA, the reader should know that.

Finally, don’t bring up your negative qualities. If you just ended a relationship, forget writing about your depression. Don’t admit that you are needy. Don’t scare off your prospects with statements like, “single mother of four looking to settle down.” And definitely do not provide offensive information such as, “suffer from halitosis but trying really hard to correct it.”

Write a Professional Personality Profile

By now, you know the basic rules. But there are a few extra points to consider when you are trying to get a job. Foremost, competition is rife. If you want the job, you need to be specific about why you should get it.

Suppose you are a freelance writer applying for a contract. Do you really think it will elicit interest in your profile by writing, “I am a freelance writer”? If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be applying for the job. Instead, state what you write and why. If you specialize in civil rights issues because of a personal injustice, and you have spent 10 years researching it, say so. Include accomplishments and experiences that relate to the demands of the position.

If you are attempting to get a job on a team, don’t waste the reader’s time talking about independent work. Show how you can be an asset to the team. Introduce yourself with statements instead of describing yourself with adjectives. For example, instead of pointing out how punctual you are, write that you strictly adhere to deadlines. Mention that you remain focused on each task until completion. Offer references to support your statements.

Fatten up your personality profile with real information. A resume is your skeleton. Your personality profile lists your attractive assets. Instead of writing about how you graduated from Howard University, tell how attending a historically black university shaped you for the present position.

Don’t make the same fatal mistake as many job candidates. Know that personality profiles are not one-for-all. You must tweak your personality profile for every position.

What you write in your personality profile should have meaning. You are not just attempting to fill a page. You are not attempting to set yourself apart. Your objective is to set yourself above every other candidate, and to do that, you must make every word count.

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